A Chattogram court on Thursday rejected the bail prayer of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote and former ISKCON leader, in a sedition case. Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions’ Judge Md Saiful Islam passed the order after a hearing on it, said Public Prosecutor Md Mofizul Haque Bhuiyan. Earlier, a group of 11 lawyers from Dhaka’s Supreme Court went to Chattogram to join the bail hearing of Chinmoy while the judge entered the courtroom around 9:45am. An additional number of law enforcement agencies, including police, Border Guard Bangladesh and Army were deployed around the court to ensure a tight security measure. As per the schedule, the court held the hearing today and rejected the bail prayer of Chinmoy. Besides, the justice seekers were allowed to enter the court upon showing documents. On December 3, a Chattogram court set January 2 as the next date of hearing in the case after the prosecution had sought time due to the absence of the defendant’s lawyer. Read: Ex-ISKCON leader Chinmoy among 164 sued in another case On October 25 last year, a large gathering of the Sanatani community was held in Chattogram under the leadership of Chinmoy Krishna Das. On October 31, a sedition case was filed against 19 people, including Chinmoy, on charge of belittling the national flag. On November 22, another large rally was held in Rangpur under the leadership of Chinmoy who was arrested in Dhaka on November 25 in the sedition case. The Chattogram court rejected Chinmoy's bail petition, ordered him to be sent to jail, and the decision sparked clashes between his followers, law enforcers and lawyers on the court premises. Read more: Chinmoy Das’ bail hearing deferred to January 2 At one stage of the clash, one lawyer, Saiful Islam Alif, was hacked to death outside the court premises. Several cases have so far been filed against Chinmoy and others following the murder of the lawyer.

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) of the central bank has identified 202 bank accounts associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). A total of approximately Tk 236.42 crore was deposited into these bank accounts. By November 29, Tk 223.73 crore had been withdrawn, leaving a balance of Tk 12.94 crore, officials said. Besides, they said, Tk 39.2 crore was deposited in the name of controversial ISKCON leader Chandan Kumar Dhar, also known as Chinmoy Kumar Das. Almost the entire amount has since been withdrawn. Read: HC wants to know govt’s stance over ISKCON The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) is currently investigating the source of the funds and identifying the individuals or entities responsible for the deposits. On November 30, the BFIU ordered the suspension of transactions in the bank accounts of 17 ISKCON members, including controversial leader Chandan Kumar Dhar alias Chinmoy Kumar Das, for 30 days. On the same day, the BFIU sent this instruction to various banks and financial institutions in the country to suspend transactions in these bank accounts.

The bail hearing in a sedition case against Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote and former ISKCON leader, has been rescheduled to January 2. Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md. Saiful Islam fixed the next hearing date for January 2 on Tuesday following the prosecution's request for time due to the absence of his lawyer. Protest for Chinmoy Krishna’s release: Three cases filed over attack on police On November 26, Chattogram Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate Judge Kazi Shariful Islam rejected the bail plea and ordered Chinmoy Das to be sent to jail. On November 26, lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was hacked to death amid clashes among law enforcers, agitated protestors, and supporters of Chinmoy Krishna following the denial of his bail petition in a sedition case. Protestors vandalised several motorcycles and vehicles parked on the court road. India attempting to further provoke Chinmoy incident: Nahid Five cases, including a murder case, were filed. Police arrested around 30 people in connection with these cases. A large number of law enforcement personnel were deployed around the court area apprehending untoward incidents centering the possible bail hearing on Tuesday. Dhaka responds to Delhi’s Chinmoy statement as Bangladesh’s 'internal affairs' Members of  Chattogram Bar Association staged protests on the court premises, demanding the arrest of the killers of Advocate Saiful Islam Alif and criticising the exclusion of Chinmoy Krishna Das from the murder case.

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan on Friday questioned the justification of the recent agitations by ISKCON, alleging that the 'deposed autocrat' is linked to it. "I don't even want to name the organisation involved in these recent activities. They (ISKCON) have branches in various countries around the world… Ask them in which other country, apart from Bangladesh, do they organise processions with specific demands and announce long marches?" he said while speaking at a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club. The BNP leader also questioned why ISKCON had launched a movement following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's regime, when it had remained silent during the repression and suppression under her rule. He expressed his astonishment at how the leaders of ISKCON, as citizens of Bangladesh, could request the Indian government to intervene in this matter. "Is Bangladesh a country under anyone's control, or is it subject to another country's actions?" he asked. The discussion meeting, titled 'What We Can Do to Confront Fascism and Its Associates', was organised by Khelafat Andolon to mark its 43rd founding anniversary. Nazrul Islam Khan, a BNP Standing Committee member, criticised the Indian government's statement regarding the ISKCON issue. He expressed frustration that India had not issued a statement when several thousand of people, including children, were killed during the July-August movement, or even when an advocate was killed in Chattogram. "So, if one person is arrested, you issue a statement... but when several thousand people have been killed, no statement is issued. This is biased. Whether it is done by an individual or a state, such actions are unacceptable." As a labour leader, Nazrul also expressed support for the recent movement by battery-powered rickshaw drivers, stating that their demands were justified. "If you believe rickshaws should not be allowed, you should have stopped them in the beginning. Now there are thousands of rickshaws, and many people rely on them to earn a living. You can't just say they won't be allowed—who will accept that?" he argued. Don’t’ pave the path for fascist’s return: BNP However, Nazrul noted that the nature of the movement was not entirely normal. "I understand labour movements, and this one didn't seem normal. Then I saw that the leaders of the movement were all Chhatra League members. The demand was legitimate, but the way the movement was conducted appeared to be a conspiracy." In light of the current situation, Nazrul called for unity, awareness, and vigilance to prevent any attempts to undermine national unity or conspire against the people. "I urge the interim government to engage in dialogue with all political parties, organisations, labour groups, civil society, and journalists… and work to build a unity so strong that no one dares to challenge us," he said.  

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Bangladesh Lawyers' Rights Council have demanded a ban on ISKCON and justice for lawyer Saiful Islam Alif who was killed on a Chattogram court premises amid clashes between law enforcers and ISKCON followers .At a press conference on Thursday, SCBA Acting Secretary Mahfuzur Rahman Milon condemned the killing describing it as a heartbreaking event for the legal community and the nation. Ctg lawyers demand CMP commissioner's resignation over Adv Alif’s murder He alleged that ISKCON members were part of a broader anti-state conspiracy. “Members of terrorist organisation ISKCON have brutally murdered Saiful Islam Alif.” The Lawyers' Rights Council organised a human chain at the Supreme Court Bar’s main gate demanding justice and the introduction of a Lawyers’ Protection Ordinance. Govt prioritises ISKCON issue, no intervention needed: HCAdvocate Nure Ershad Siddiqui, central member secretary of the council, presided over the event, while Joint Convener Md Khalid Hossain conducted it. Siddiqui labelled ISKCON as an international extremist terrorist organization and urged the government to ban ISKCON in Bangladesh due to its alleged involvement in Alif’s murder.

Three separate cases have been filed in connection with yesterday’s attack on police during a clash at the court premises in Chattogram city, while protesting for the release of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das. Kotwali police filed these cases, naming 76 individuals and including an additional 1,400 unidentified persons as defendants on Wednesday. DB arrests ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna from near Dhaka airport Kazi Md. Tarique Aziz, Chattogram Metropolitan Police's Additional Deputy Commissioner (Public Relations), confirmed these details this evening. According to the police, a total of 27 people have been arrested in connection with the clash, including 20 individuals over attack on police and seven over lawyer Saiful Islam Alif’s murder. The incident occurred yesterday afternoon when a protest by activists demanding the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das clashed with police. During the altercation, 12 police personnel were injured, and a police vehicle was also vandalized.

The High Court (HC) on Wednesday issued a rule asking the government to inform the court about its stance regarding Hindu religious organisation ISKCON, its activities, and what steps it has taken about it. An HC bench comprising Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury passed the order after hearing a writ petition submitted seeking a ban on ISKCON. The court ordered Attorney General Asaduzzaman to apprise of the government’s stance over the issue by Thursday. Supreme Court lawyer Md Monir Uddin submitted the petition drawing attention of the court regarding several media reports published about ISKCON. The petitioner sought a ban on ISKCON and issuance of section 144 in Chattogram and Rangpur to ward off any unwanted incident. High Court rejects ex-NBR Official Matiur’s writ petition to travel abroad The Attorney General told the court that they will submit a report tomorrow (Thursday).   On Tuesday, advocate Saiful Islam Alif was hacked to death amid clashes between police and ISKCON supporters on Chattogram court premises after it rejected bail to former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in a sedition case. Immunity provision in quick rental act illegal: High Court Seven to eight people were injured in the clashes.  

Students of Jagannath University on Tuesday night condemned the brutal killing of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif on Chattogram's court premises and demanded the immediate ban of the Hindu nationalist organization ISKCON. They accused the hardliner Hindu organization of threatening the country's sovereignty and engaging in extremist activities. During a protest march that concluded with a rally at 9:30 pm, the students raised slogans such as “Ban ISKCON now,” “No place for ISKCON in our Bengal,” and “Break the black hands of ISKCON.” They also demanded accountability for the killing, chanting, “Why did our brother die? We want answers from the authorities.” Masum, a student of Sociology department, alleged the extremist ISKCON has been conspiring to destabilize Bangladesh for some time. The brutal murder of state lawyer Alif in reflects this agenda. The perpetrators must be arrested and brought to justice without delay. Naimur Rahman, another student, accused ISKCON of working to undermine Bangladesh’s sovereignty and claimed that the organization is aligned with efforts to influence the country’s political stability. JU students demonstrate against killing of lawyer in Chattogram “India is trying to destabilize us to rehabilitate certain forces. ISKCON is acting as their tool. We demand the banning of ISKCON and the arrest of those involved in Alif’s murder,” he said. Junayed Masud, general secretary of the Human Rights Society at JnU, alleged that ISKCON, backed by Indian interests, has long harbored ambitions of creating a unified Indian state at the expense of Bangladesh's sovereignty. “This Hindu nationalist group has repeatedly tried to create unrest in our independent nation,” he said, adding, “The murder of the lawyer is a manifestation of this conspiracy. We demand the immediate arrest and trial of those responsible.” The students vowed to continue their demonstrations until their demands are met, urging authorities to ensure justice and preserve national stability. Advocate Saiful Islam Alif was hacked to death amid clashes between police and Hindu community people on a Chattogram court premises on Tuesday after the court rejected bail to former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in a sedition case.  

Centring the worsening situation over the arrest of Hindu community’s spiritual and former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Md Jahanagir Alam Chowdhury is sniffing both local and international conspiracy against the country. He disclosed as much while addressing journalists following a discussion with officials from various departments at Sylhet Circuit House on Tuesday evening. Responding to a question about the arrest of Chinmoy, the adviser said there was a possibility of external influence in the matter. Addressing the ongoing student movement (in Dhaka), he said discussions are ongoing, and a resolution is expected soon. "We do not wish to adopt a harsh stance towards student movements in any way." The Home Adviser acknowledged that not all weapons stolen in August have been recovered yet, but operations are continuing to retrieve them. The law and order situation has remarkably improved since August, and further progress is expected. For this, everyone’s cooperation is essential, he said. Chinmoy arrested over sedition, not as community leader: Youth and Sports Adviser He also emphasized the government's efforts to enhance community policing, beginning in Dhaka before expanding nationwide. Many false cases have been filed across the country. To prevent innocent people from being harassed, a committee will be formed. We urge citizens to report those filing fake cases, the adviser said. Earlier in the evening, the adviser held a meeting with Sylhet officials regarding law and order. He later attended a separate meeting with agricultural officials, as he also oversees the Ministry of Agriculture.  

Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, the Hindu community leader and former head of ISKCON in Bangladesh was arrested on charges of sedition, not as a community leader, clarified Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Local Government. He made the statement during a meeting held on Tuesday at Chawla Union, Pirgacha Upazila of Rangpur, where winter clothes were distributed among the needy. Asif Mahmud said, "The government will take strict action against any act of sedition that threatens Bangladesh's sovereignty and independence. We want to make it clear that anyone involved in such acts, regardless of their status or leadership position, will not be spared." He emphasized that law enforcement actions are taken based on national security, not community considerations. Addressing regional disparities, the adviser said, "Previously, development was concentrated in areas associated with prime ministers or ministers. We aim to eliminate such inequities and ensure balanced development across the country." During the event, around 600 winter garments and blankets were distributed to underprivileged families. Afterward, the adviser visited the Panialen Ghat area in Rangpur’s Pirgacha and Kurigram’s Ulipur to inspect the proposed site for a bridge over the Teesta River.